Thailand and Angkor Wat Cultural Journey

B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner

Day 1 Bangkok

Arrive at any time. An arrival transfer is included.

Day 2 Bangkok (B)

Today we will rise with the sun and start the day by giving alms to the local Buddhist monks. Following this ritual, our local guide takes us through the bustling Flower Market, brimming with colors and fragrance, and continue through the vibrant Chinatown area. Later in the morning we will take a boat ride through the klongs, or canals of Bangkok and visit the halls and murals decorating the Grand Palace.

Day 3 Chiang Mai (B,D)

After a short flight northward we will arrive in Chiang Mai and settle into our exquisite surroundings, taking a relaxing break from the fast pace of Bangkok. Today we will visit the Doi Suthep Temple, established in 1383 and one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in Thailand. Climb over 300 stairs to reach the top to be rewarded with incredible serenity and views. In the evening, we enjoy a Kantoke dinner, sampling several small dishes of exotic Thai flavors and enjoying some Thai music and dance.

Day 4 Chiang Mai (B,L)

Try your hand at creating some of the dynamic Thai taste sensations at a Thai Cooking School. We visit a local market to learn more about the main ingredients, then take our purchases back to the school where our teacher demonstrates the basics of some of the more popular Thai dishes. Naturally we enjoy the results for lunch! To congratulate ourselves on our culinary achievements, we will be treated to a traditional Thai massage. In the evening, we explore Chiang Mai’s popular downtown night market to see where all the locals and visitors are spending the evening.

Day 5 Lampang (B)

Today we visit the Elephant Conservation Centre. Tour the facility, learning all about the Regal history of elephants in Thailand and their daily care, ending with a memorable elephant ride. All the money the centre raises goes towards the care of these wrinkled giants.

Day 6 Sukhothai (B)

Today we drive to Sukhothai to visit one of Thailand's UNESCO World Heritage sites, Sukhothai Historical Park, which we explore by bicycle with our local guide. The city of Sukhothai, meaning "Dawn of Happiness," was the original capital of Thailand's first kingdom and is viewed as representative of the Golden Age of Thai civilization. Explore the remains of the ancient royal realm and marvel at the evocative religious art and architecture of the classic Sukhothai era.

Day 7 Ayuthaya (B,L)

This morning we travel to Ayuthaya, where we take an extensive temple tour. Ayuthaya served as Thailand’s capital from the 14th to 18th centuries, when it ranked as one of the most magnificent cities in the world. Located north of Bangkok, the ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site may be visited on foot and include various pagodas and Buddha images.

Day 8-9 Kanchanaburi (2B,L)

Today visit the seven tiered waterfalls of Erawan National Park to soak your bones in the coolness of the pools at the base of the falls. The highest fall is said to resemble Erawan, the three-headed elephant of Hindu mythology. Spend a day relaxing by the water, trekking through the jungle, climbing through the local caves, or just relaxing in the reviving shade. On day 9 we visit the Allied War Cemetery, built to commemorate the POWs who died building the Thai-Burmese railway. We will also visit the Thai-Burmese Railway Museum, and then experience a train ride on the Death Railway, taking a step back in time to WWII.

Day 10 Siem Reap - Angkor (B)

We drive back to Bangkok in the morning and board our plane to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to the temples of Angkor. Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer kingdom, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the wonders of the archeological world. This vast ruined city is becoming one of the most popular sites in Southeast Asia. We arrive late in the afternoon to catch our first views of Angkor Wat at sunset.

Day 11-12 Siem Reap - Angkor (2B,2L)

Over the next 2 days, visit some of the highlights of this ancient capital, including the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, the enigmatic Bayon within the walled city of Angkor Thom, Preah Khan and Ta Prohm, the jungle-choked temple otherwise known as the Tomb Raider temple. During our stay we will taste the delights of Khmer Cuisine - known for its use of Prahok (a type of fermented fish paste) and coconut milk.

Day 13 Bangkok (B)

Today we say goodbye to Cambodia and board a plane back to Bangkok. Explore this wonderous city, or just relax by the pool. In the evening we head over to Luang Suan Lum Night Market to indulge in some last minute shopping.

Day 14 Bangkok (B)

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